TERRE HAUTE —
This week, we have several queries.
• Searching for the ancestors and descendants of Herrod Peyton. First found Herrod living in Clay County, Indiana, with his family in 1850. The 1860 Clay County census shows Herrod Peyton, 40, and wife Nancy Ann, 38, living with the following children: Benjamin, 17; Amanda, 15; William, 11; George, 9; Mary, 7; Rebecca, 5; Elizabeth, 3; and Nancy D., 3. Another daughter, Hannah E., was born to Herrod and Nancy Ann in 1866. Benjamin served in the Civil War. He married Sarah Catherine Laumbarger in Martin County, Indiana, on Dec, 25, 1866. (His name in Civil War and marriage records is Paton). He relocated to Kansas and had nine children. Amanda J. married Ancil Christenberry in 1863 in Clay County. Mary A. married John W. Rodgers in 1870 in Clay County. Rebecca married William A. Owens in 1874 in Clay County. Nancy D. married James J. Riddle in 1875 in Clay County. George W. married Hiley A. Jenkins in 1876 in Clay County, and later relocated to Sullivan County, Indiana. Herrod Peyton died in October 1879 in Clay County. His wife Nancy Ann died March 1900. Is there anyone out there searching for these same people? I descend from Benjamin. I would like to hear from the descendants of Benjamin’s brothers and sisters or anyone who has information on this family. I have info to share, plus I am looking for the parents of Herrod Peyton. Please contact Annette Ward at rasaw@netusal.net.
• My son is looking for any relatives of the Kenneth Downey family of Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. He met his siblings but now needs to find out more of the family genealogy. His grandfather was Carl Downey and grandmother was Ruth McGlaughlin. His great-grandfather was Harvey Louis Downey born in Crawford, Ill., in 1882 and his wife was Anna. Possibly his great-great-grandfather was Hayworth James Downey. If you have any information on this family please contact me. My son would like to tie up loose ends and find his own identity. Thanks, Brenda Dooley at email Brendadooley21@ymail.com.
• Hi, I live in Scotland so it is difficult for me to get some information. I am looking for information on Alfred Houston’s date of birth and his birthplace. All of Alfred’s siblings were born in Indiana. Alfred Houston (he may have a middle initial J) was born possibly in 1906 in Indiana. He died possibly in 1961-2. His father was George Houston, born January 1876 in Lanark, Lanarkshire, Scotland. His mother was Elizabeth Jones, born 1878-9 in Wales. George Houston and Elizabeth Jones were married in Clay County, Indiana, on March 6, 1898. Their other children were: Margaret, born July 1898; George, born July 1900 in Benwood, Clay County, Indiana; Eileen, born 1903; Rea, born about 1909; Mildred, born 1910-1912; Jeanette, born about 1914; Beattrice, born 1917; Maxine, born 1919-1920; Betty, born about 1922; and Laura, born about 1928. Parents George and Elizabeth Houston are on the 1900, 1910, and 1920 census of Clay County, Indiana. They were in Michigan in 1930. Any help would be appreciated. Please contact Ray Ross at email Ross1314@blueyonder.co.uk.
• I would like to correspond with descendants of Jacob Fifer, who was listed in the 1860 Coles County, Illinois, census in North Okaw Township. I am looking for the date and location of his death. His daughter, Mary Jane Fifer-Divens, is my great-grandmother. Please contact me at email Janicebdyer@yahoo.com. Thank you, Janice Dyer.
History
GENEALOGY: Peyton, Downey, Fifer queries and a plea for help from Scotland
- History
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
Inside the archives room of the Vigo County Public Library, row after row of fragile documents, rare out-of-print books, and historic photographs are kept on shelves in a humidity and temperature-controlled room.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Historic efforts to open Center Street from Cherry to Swan
Efforts to open Center Street, from Cherry to Swan, spanned a half century or more.
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LOOKING BACK: 2002 — Valley drenched in wettest spring in 107 years
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star. -
HISTORICAL TREASURE: Some history wreathed in hair
From the unfortunate occurrence of Prince Albert’s death in 1861 came the social mores of proper mourning practices and accoutrements witnessed and endorsed by the admirers of Queen Victoria in her reign-long state of grieving.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: League of Women Voters reorganizes
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Here comes the bride
The newest major exhibit at the Historical Museum, which opens Tuesday, showcases wedding gowns worn by Vigo County residents.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Downtown changes featured in early 1927
During March and April of 1927 – about 85 years ago – the owners of interests in four major downtown Terre Haute theaters were negotiating to transfer their interests to representatives of Paramount Studios.
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GENEALOGY: Genealogy isn’t for the easily embarrassed
The saying goes, if you’re easily embarrassed or afraid of what you’ll find, don’t start doing genealogy.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The long, lost, last — the 27th —Amendment
Our very last constitutional amendment — the 27th Amendment — was ratified this week (May 7) in 1992 when Michigan became the 38th state to approve it.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: The Haymarket Square Massacre
One unhappy byproduct of the Industrial Age was the growing discontent of its industrial workers, who constantly agitated for better pay and more humane working conditions.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Stands packed as Wiley takes county track title
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and the Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Death of Terre Haute jeweler gains national headlines
Terre Haute sought national publicity in 1910 through “Boosterism,” lauding the city’s significant advancements during the decade ending Dec. 31, 1909.
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GENEALOGY: Cemetery Committee to conduct restoration workshop
The Wabash Valley Genealogy Society’s Cemetery Committee will conduct an all-day cemetery restoration workshop on Saturday at the Smith Cemetery near Youngstown, Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Ind.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Harmonious history
In 1923, a group of singers calling themselves the Harmony Four entertained regularly over the radio and at civic and various club events.
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BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSONS: Cleveland observes Lincoln’s funeral
The death of America’s greatest president, Abraham Lincoln, resulted in an outpouring of national mourning, the apex of which came in late April of 1865 when a specially outfitted train carried his body on a thirteen-day, 1,700-mile, eleven-city funeral procession from Washington, D.C., to his home and final resting place in Springfield, Ill.
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GENEALOGY: Many people can trace ancestry to Titanic
This month marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, which occurred on April 14-15, 1912.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: ISU bowling team at nationals again
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Sullivan County mine explosion kills 8 in 1878
Shortly after 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 21, 1878, an enormous explosion rocked the Handford Brothers mine about one-half mile north of the Evansville & Terre Haute Railroad depot in Sullivan County.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: A common feature, but memorable
As an absolute architecture nerd, I tend to look at buildings noticing the odd ball things such as door hinges and door locks in addition to admiring the overall building.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: MLK’s letter written from a jail cell in Birmingham
This week (April 16) in 1963 Martin Luther King Jr. sat in a jail cell in Birmingham, Ala., having been arrested for violating a trumped-up court order that prohibited him and his followers from conducting various protest activities, most of which you can read about in the First Amendment.
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LOOKING BACK: 1962: Swope celebrates 20th anniversary
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: 1955 Babe Ruth League championship team to be feted
Currently in his 25th year as a college baseball coach, Rick Heller is in the midst of his third winning season at Indiana State and has embraced the university and the community.
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GENEALOGY: Long-awaited 1940 census is now available for the public
The long-awaited release of the 1940 census took place on April 2.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Memories baked from scratch
On my Historical Treasure hunt, I was drawn to a pasteboard barrel 28 inches high and 18.5 inches across with the words “Calumet Baking Powder Bakes Best, Received Highest Award” on one side and “Calumet Baking Powder Always Pleases, Try It” on the other.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSON: Thomas Jefferson's flights of fancy
Thomas Jefferson, born this week (April 13) in 1743, is — deservedly so — in the pantheon of American heroes.
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: J.K. Emmet’s first appearance at the Terre Haute Opera House
The first season of the magnificent Terre Haute Opera House, which featured many of the world’s premier celebrities, was a resounding success.
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GENEALOGY: Black Death had a monumental effect on world
One event in the past had a monumental effect on our ancestors, indeed determining who they would be. This was the advent and spread of bubonic plague, the Black Death. The plague originated in China in 1333. It was caused by a bacterium in fleas, which were carried by rats. The plague spread out of China via trading routes with the West (the Silk Road) and especially on ships, which carried flea-infested rats and provided a closed environment for people to infect each other.
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LOOKING BACK: 1987: 'Banana king' opens Farmer's Market
Dorothy Jerse looks back at local history from 10, 25 and 50 years ago as reported in the Tribune and Tribune-Star.
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HISTORICAL TREASURE: Hunting for sugary Easter treats
Among the many varieties of the Easter egg, none is more charming than the panoramic Sugar Egg. Three were recently given to the Vigo County Historical Museum by Judy Lowe and are shown in an Easter-themed display case in the entry hall.
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BRUCE'S HISTORY LESSONS: 1820s: The power of the postmaster general
John McLean, who died this week (April 4) in 1861, was — by his early 40s — one of the most important people in America. In fact, he oversaw what was, in the 1820s, the federal government’s largest, most extensive and arguably most important responsibility.
- More History Headlines
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GENEALOGY: Library archives contain tons of information
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